| Vitamin D deficiency in general medical inpatients in summer and winter. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17535381 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is common in various populations worldwide. Adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency are the development of bone disorders; however, other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers have also been linked to vitamin D deficiency. The general medical inpatient population is a group at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. These patients often have coexistent risk factors for its consequences. This study aims to document a point prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this population. METHODS: Two cross-sectional audits of patients admitted to general medicine units were carried out--the first in mid-November at the end of winter and the second in mid-April and May at the end of summer. Information regarding patients' comorbidities, medication usage, previous falls and fractures was obtained and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcium levels were measured. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients was studied (65 in winter and 64 in summer). Ninety-four patients (74%) had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels < or = 50 nmol/L. Seven patients had severe deficiency (levels < or = 12.5 nmol/L). Average vitamin D levels were lower at the end of winter (35 vs 43 nmol/L, P = 0.007). Of the 37 patients receiving vitamin D supplements, 20 (54%) had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels < or = 50 nmol/L. CONCLUSION: Low vitamin D levels were common in this general medical inpatient population. The average vitamin D level was lower in the patient group tested in November following winter. Supplementation of vitamin D did not uniformly prevent deficiency. |
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Authors:
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S M Chatfield; C Brand; P R Ebeling; D M Russell |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Internal medicine journal Volume: 37 ISSN: 1445-5994 ISO Abbreviation: Intern Med J Publication Date: 2007 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-05-30 Completed Date: 2007-08-27 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101092952 Medline TA: Intern Med J Country: Australia |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 377-82 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of General Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. simechaty@hotmail.com |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Aged Aged, 80 and over Cross-Sectional Studies Family Practice* Female Humans Inpatients* Male Middle Aged Seasons* Sunlight Vitamin D Deficiency / diagnosis, epidemiology* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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